Redundancy & withdrawn job offer

TheresaAlexander

I was made redundant on 27th Feb (but not entitled to redundancy pay), before the virus outbreak bagan in the UK. I am owed 2 months salary, a percentage of which can be claimed back and I am in the long process of doing so. I got a new job straight away and was due to start 30th March. The offer was withdrawn verbally last week due to the virus. I have £1800 a month of outgoings to cover, I am single.  I applied for JSA but heard nothing back, but now work as a community support worker temporarily to help the vulnerable in the community during this time. The pay is poor, and in no way will it cover my outgoings, but it is better than JSA, and I feel like I am helping.
My question is, am I entitled to claim anything with regard to the loss of salary from the job I would now be in if it was not for the virus? I have the offer letter as proof.

calcotti

Have you looked at Universal Credit. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/   There are online calculators to help you assess entitlement  https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Jeremy535897

Why do you need to claim back part of the wages you are owed? They should just pay you what you are owed.

Did you have a signed contract with the new employer?

TheresaAlexander

Error! Job was due to start tomorrow, 26th March, not 30th. I was informed last Thurs 19th, verbally, that the offer has been temporarily withdrawn.

Jeremy535897

You didn't answer my questions.

7Phil

You may have recourse under employment law in regards to the cancelled offer, depending on how it was done and whether it was done properly. Based on your info: you have a letter of offer and therefore your prospective employer has entered in to a binding contract with you. They cannot simply terminate it verbally but it will be up to you to pursue them.
I suggest you seek advice from an employment law professional but definitely encourage you to assert your rights if you can. Given these circumstances, pursue any protections the law provides you and look after yourself as number 1.

If you are asking purely about what public options are available to you then you will only fall back on regular UK benefits (AFAIK). There aren't any schemes that will pay you compensation based on potential earnings for a cancelled opportunity, etc.